Re: [admin-discuss] Consultation on COVID management for IETF 114 - Closes 29 May 2022

[Stephen Farrell <[e-mail]>]

Hiya,

I'd be ok with that policy.

Were the meeting to be held now, I'd also be ok with
not requiring masks. (But don't object to wearing 'em
if that makes enough people feel more comfortable.)

I would ask that whatever policy/decision is reached
be re-affirmed or modified a week or two out based on
whatever's the case then. (IOW, be a bit more active
than just reserving the right to revisit.)

Cheers,
S.

On 23/05/2022 18:28, IETF Executive Director wrote:
> As noted when we opened registration for IETF 114 [1], the IETF Administration LLC and IESG wish to consult with the community on our approach to onsite COVID management for IETF 114.
> 
> First, the facts as we know them:
> 
> - The current COVID management requirements in Philadelphia are that mask wearing is optional but strongly recommended in indoor public spaces [2].
> - The US CDC rates the level of COVID in Philadelphia as Medium as of Thursday 19 May 2022 [3]
> - The venue does not require staff to be vaccinated or wear masks, though we can arrange with the venue that staff wear masks for food service
> - Travel to the US still requires a negative viral test the day before departure
> - Previous community discussions have shown a preference for us to be cautious
> 
> 
> In setting our COVID management plans, the biggest problem is timing. First, we need to ensure that those who wish to take advantage of the early bird offer, can do so with as much information as possible. Second, as we are all well aware, the situation is changeable and any plans made now may need to change closer to the time of the meeting due to changing circumstances.  For those reasons:
> 
> - This consultation opens today and closes in just under one week on 29 May 2022 with the outcome announced by 31 May. The early bird period closes on 6 June.
> - We will again allow people to switch their registration from onsite to remote, and vice versa, while retaining the same class of registration. i.e. an early bird onsite will convert to an early bird remote, and vice versa. We will also, once again, waive any cancellation fees.
> - We will continue to review the situation and reserve the right to make changes to our COVID management up to one week before the start of the meeting.  As you will see from our proposal below, any change is likely to be a loosening of restrictions.
> 
> 
> We that in mind, we are therefore proposing the following onsite COVID management approach to IETF 114:
> 
> 1.  All onsite participants must be fully vaccinated.  This requires a self-declaration on registration, with no further checking.  This feature is already in place in the registration system as it was the same for IETF 113.
> 
> 2.  Participants in sessions and other controlled rooms will be required to wear an FFP2/N95 mask, except when they are actively speaking.  We propose this because we believe that this is where the risk is highest as the ventilation is the least, and we can enforce this because the rooms are for our exclusive use.
> 
> 3.  We will recommend that participants in the hallway and eating areas wear masks but we cannot require it.  We propose this because we cannot enforce any requirement as those areas are not for our exclusive use.
> 
> 4.  We will provide free both masks and Rapid Antigen Tests, available at the registration desk. There are expected to be multiple options for other tests available locally, though these will be chargeable unless covered by insurance. Free public testing is no longer available in Philadelphia and supplies of tests are subject to variable availability.
> 
> 5.  We will continue to provide direct support for those who develop a COVID infection during the meeting.
> 
> 
> Please let us know what you think of this plan, either direct to me at [e-mail] or to the public [e-mail] mailing list.  We understand that in setting this plan, the IETF is going beyond the local restrictions in place at the venue.  If you believe that we should not do that and should only follow the local restrictions, then please let us know.
> 
> 
> [1]  https://mailarchive.ietf.org/arch/msg/ietf-announce/K1fYFKYtyAIKREiGTLWG6vFW10c/
> [2]  https://www.phila.gov/2022-04-22-city-announces-change-in-mask-guidance/
> [3]  https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=Pennsylvania&data-type=CommunityLevels&list_select_county=42101&null=42101
>